2014 Yamaha MT-09 Three-Cylinder Street Bike Announced for Europe – to be Named FZ-09 in US

A couple of weeks ago, Yamaha Europe released a video called “Dark Side of Japan” teasing a new street bike it claimed would “change the sport motorcycle world.” Today, the company revealed its new model, introducing a new naked sportbike powered by a “Crossplane” three-cylinder engine called the MT-09. (EDIT: and we can now reveal that the North American version will be known as the Yamaha FZ-09.)

The 2014 Yamaha MT-09 is powered by a new 847cc three-cylinder engine first teased at Intermot last year. According to Yamaha, the MT-09’s engine produces 113.4 hp at 10,000 rpm and 64.5 ft-lb. at 8500 rpm. By comparison, the Yamaha FZ8 and its 779cc Inline-Four engine claims 104.7 hp at 10,000 rpm and 60.5 ft-lb. at 8000 rpm. With a claimed wet weight of 414 pounds, the MT-09 is also 51 pounds lighter than the FZ8.

Helping contribute to the lower weight is a new CF aluminum die-cast frame promising good rigidity balance while keeping the MT-09 slim and compact.

Other features include a 3-into-1 exhaust system with an underslung silencer, 3.7-gallon fuel tank, wide handlebars, telescopic forks, and a nearly horizontally-mounted rear shock with an asymmetric swingarm design. Brakes consist of dual 298mm discs up front and a single 245mm disc at the rear. ABS is available as an option, adding another 6.6 pounds of weight. In the U.K., the 2014 Yamaha MT-09 is priced at £6799 (US$10,590).

The MT-09 looks like a fun and distinctive bike that’s nicely priced. We’d be surprised if something quite similar wasn’t offered in North America. Stay tuned … and discuss this more at our Yamaha FZ-09 Forum!

[Source: Yamaha Europe]

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Huddy

Yamaha badly needs to move in a new direction but this kind of bike at this price will be entering a relatively crowded segment (especially in Europe). How about something more original, a 450cc triple to compete with the new Honda 500s? That would get people talking.

wheelbender6

Its a crowded market segment, but the FZ-09 offers a lot for the money.

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